The Vanderbilt Microbiome Initiative (VMI) Boot Camp is an annual workshop to train students and staff in microbiome study design, big data analysis and interpretation.
The event is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Wyatt Center, Room 130.
The boot camp will introduce participants to the importance of proper experimental design, analysis and interpretation of microbiome sequencing data.
This one-day workshop will include an introduction to experimental fundamentals and concepts and feature hands-on introductory analysis of data using a comprehensive suite of command line-based tools for all stages of analyzing genetic sequences from microbial communities. In addition, and in collaboration with the Initiative for Personalized Microbial Discovery and Innovation (IPMDI), participants will learn MicroVU, an emerging repository of genomes from microbes isolated from human specimens.
The workshop is designed for researchers and clinicians who wish to incorporate any microbiome sample and electronic medical records analysis into their research, and it assumes little prior knowledge of microbiomes, computer coding or next-generation sequencing (command-line experience is advantageous but not required). Several desktop computers running MacOS will be available at the venue; however, participants are strongly encouraged to bring their laptops.
Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to understand the factors that go into designing a microbiome study. Hands-on tutorials will provide participants with the confidence to take sequencing data through quality control and processing, to test fundamental or clinical hypotheses with available tools, and to critically interpret results. Further, participants will gain appreciation for the ethical implications of microbiome research in humans and have a better understanding of microbiome resources available both within and outside of Vanderbilt.
To register, send your name, title, school and department to Rob Markowitz, robert.h.markowitz@vanderbilt.edu, to receive a pre-course survey and confirmation.